Improvement in cartridge-cases



B. HIJTGHKISS.`

(lartridgla-Gases.l

Patented Dec.. 22, 1874.

TME GRAPHIC COAPDTO-LITHJSS 44 PARK PLAE'NM rrnn S'rnfrn'sI PATENTOrrfron.

BENJAMIN B. HOTOHKISS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN CARTRIDGE-CASES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 157,916, dated December22, 1871; application filed March 17, 1874.

To all whom t may concern: if)

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN B. Horen- KIss, of New York city, in theState of New York, temporarily residing in Paris, France, have inventedcertain Improvements Relating to Metallic Cartridge-Cases, of which thefollowing is a specification:

lIhe invention is intended more particularly for large cartridges forcannon, but it may be of some service for small cartridges for otherarms. I form a strong successful cartridge from thin material byriveting. I have also introduced modications in the details relating toprovisions for retaining and discharging the fulminate.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means ofcarrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification. i

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal section of the rear portion of acartridge constructed according to this invention. Fig. 2 is an endview, looking in at the front and open end. Figs. 3 and 4 represent amodication. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section, and Fig. 4 an endview from the rear. The remaining figures are all central longitudinalsections, representing different modifications.

Ordinary provisions (not represented) may be employed at the front forretaining the powder with which the cartridges are to be filled.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding, or nearlycorresponding, parts in all the figures.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, A is the main body orshell; A', the turnedin portion at the rear end. B and B are cup shapedpieces of metal, which perform the double function of strengthening therear portion of the cartridge-case, and serving as a gascheck. O O arerivets or screws, which extend through the cups, and also through astout metal disk, D, which extends over the rear and projects beyond theperiphery of the cartridge. The inward bend or internal ange A of themain shell may extend inward only a little distance, as in Figs. 1, 3,and 5, or may extend inward beyond the fastenings G and receive them, asshown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9.

Fig. 7 represents only a single strengtheningcup, B, made considerablysmaller th an the shell A A', with a thickness of paper or papiermaohebetween. Fig. 8 represents the papiermachc introduced between the rearof the shell A and the disk D. Fig. 9 represents the material of thedisk expanded so as to take hold upon the inner edge of the turned-inportion Al in the manner of a rivet, and hold it or aid in holding it.

In Fig. 2 the material of the shell A is represented as simply lapped.The edges may be joined by riveting, soldering, or other suitable means5 or they may be locked together by bending in the manner familiar totinsmiths; or the shell may, if preferred, be formed from a tube.

To make the cartridge self-priming, I provide for receiving apercussion-cap by providing a cavity in the disk D, as indicated by d.

In Figs. 1 and 6 the fulminate is represented as applied in the form ofa thin metallic cap containing the fulminate in its interior in theordinary manner.

The drawings represent several modifications in the provisions forintroducing an anvil for the percussion.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the central .portions of the cups B Bl are formed toserve as an anvil by being forced inward in a ring concentric with thecenter, and standing back in the center to form a point, m, againstwhich the fulminate is struck by the discharging blow. Holes b allow thefire from the fulminate to enter the cartridge, as will be readilyunderstood.

In Figs. 3 and 4 a large hole is made in the center of the cups, and thematerial of the disk Dis forced inward in an annular ring, on, aroundthe center, and stands back in the center. This cartridge-case is usedin the same manner as the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The provision for allowing the passage of the fire from the fulminateinto the cartridge is by means of a single central hole in Figs. 3 and4, but this is not a necessary condition of forming the anvil in thedisk. Instead thereof there may be two or more holes arranged in theposition shown in Figs. 1 and 2. So, also, in the construction shown inFigs. 1 and 2, there may be a single hole in the center for the re.

In Figs. 1 and 5 the cups B B are one on the outside and one on theinside of the shell. In such case the shell A should be contracted indiameter for a sufficient length to allow for the thickness ofthe outercup, as indicated in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 3 there are two cups, both on the inside. In Fig. 8 one alone isemployed, and Fig. 7 shows only one with the paper between.

l propose in some cases to use three or more of these cups, using, bypreference, one outside and the others inside of the main shell, makingthem all of different depths and chamfering them to a thin edge, so thatthere shall be no appreciable shoulder or line of weakness where eitherof the cups end.

By inserting screws, as shown in Fig. 6, of a greater length than thethickness of the rear of the cartridge, and tightly secured by a nut onthe inside, I can make a very rm joint, but at more expense than byriveting.

1 claim as my invention- A cartridge-case composed of the open-endedtube A, having its rear end A turned inward, with one or more cups, BB', and a rigid disk, D, attached thereto, substantially as described. v

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my name in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

B. B. HOTCHKISS.

Witnesses:

CH. F. THIRION, DAVID 'lQS S. FULLER.

